I tried to read that book (written for that series I guess) and it was garbage, the liberal version of those bullshit right-wing pundit-written books that depend upon pseudo-facts, bullshit facts, and an unquestioning mindless partisan audience to complete this echo chamber.

So I guess the season finale for GOLDEN BOY was tonight, now series finale since the show got cancelled after one season.

I think the core reason for why it failed (despite getting hell of a lead-in from CBS heavyweights NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles) was the whole premise that this guy will someday be the youngest police commissioner in NYC history 7 years from now, see how he did it.

Yeah OK whatever, but why should we consider that an interesting premise? Why should we care? Didn't help that the lead character, this future badass or whatever, is just bland and uninteresting.

If you did a prequel series for Norman Bates or Superman, yeah that can work because we know what and who they'll become and thus "The Early Years" might actually be interesting to invest yourself into.

Looks like the 2013-2014 television season will be a rebuilding year for SNL.

An unnamed source at NBC has confirmed to the New York Post that longtime castmember Fred Armisen has decided to exit the sketch show after 11 seasons. That same source tells the Post that SNL veteran Jason Sudeikis will “probably” leave the show as well this year. NBC had no comment, and reps for Armisen and Sudeikis didn’t immediately respond to EW’s inquiries.

The great Jim Henson passed away 23 years ago today
Love this picture.

Caught the new STAR TREK. Like the earlier movie in this rebooted franchise, its good summertime spectacle entertainment. Not as much chunky and convoluted storytelling getting in the way of the narrative as that one had. Several spectacular sequences from the opening on that alien planet to the debris field, good stuff.

And yet afterwards my enthusiasm for this faded away. Mind you its still worth seeing and I recommend it, but I just think it lacked that extra 'umph' to be truely a remarkable movie of this kind instead of just simply good. (Abrams has the talent to be a great popcorn entertainer this side of Spielberg and Nolan, but something keeps him back and I don't know what it is.)

Of course this movie rehashing the climax of WRATH OF KAHN, derivative with lesser returns.

So I was watching tv last night and there wasn't much on. I happened to notice that HBO was airing, "Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter." (the concept just makes me laugh). I missed the first few minutes and fell asleep an hour into it. Not a terrible movie from what I did see (I hope to catch the rest some time soon)but really unusual. Never thought of mixing politics AND Vampire hunting, especially associated with a famous American president.


TIS

I was searching for info on the next Godfather broadcast and came across this site. I'm not sure if this is the proper thread for this. In any case, be prepared; it's not a pleasant site:

http://niggermania.net/forum/showthread.php?34311-quot-Godfather-give-the-drugs-to-the-ni**ers-they-re-animals-anyway-quot

Attention "Star Wars" geeks: Mark Hamill is guesting on this week's two part season finale of "Criminal Minds." They've been very quiet about it, but I have a feeling he's going to turn out to be The Replicator (the team's unknown nemesis this whole season). It's on Wednesday at 9 (EST).

"Criminal Minds" used to be a must see in our house, but I can honestly say I haven't watched one episode this season. It just seemed to be getting wackier and more violent with each episode. Now I'll feel compelled to tune in!

All you have to know is that "The Replicator" is a serial killer who replicates the crimes of other serial killers. And he's also been taunting the team on a personal level all year.

One really good thing about having "On Demand" is I can watch favorite shows that I miss (usually cause I fall asleep)

I missed Mad Men, Hawaii Five O and yesterday Bates Motel. Since we are mostly in repeats, I may wait til tonight to watch the three shows. Just sayen....



TIS

I recently saw a later episode of the Andy Griffith Show. It was in color and Don Knotts had left the show. Aunt Bea was selected for jury duty and was the lone holdout in a burglary trial where the other members of the jury were pressuring her to convict the defendant (a premise that has been used by a few sitcoms). Of course, she held out and hung the jury before it was discovered by Andy that the crime was committed by someone else.

What was interesting was that the minor role of the defendant was played by a young Jack Nicholson.

I remember that episode though it's been years since I've seen it. I can't say I recall Nicholson's part though.

On more or less the same line, I think it was "Our Miss Brooks" tv show (with Eve Arden) that had Richard Crenna as a co-star. He had a high pitch squeaky voice. Anyone remember?


TIS

For sure: Walter.

I think this is supposed to be the definitive list of renewed and canceled TV shows. It's a pain to slog through them from page to page, but here it is:

http://tv.msn.com/canceled-or-renewed/photo-gallery/?photoidx=1

Did you watch it, Babe?

In the end, Joey Zasa was just too much for Luke Skywalker .

And Madonne, did Mark Hamill get fat!

I attended IndieLisboa (Lisbon's Independent Film Festival) last month. An index to my dispatches and reviews can be found here.

Among those that might be more popular around here is Gazzara, Joseph Rezwin's documentary on the late actor.

When I saw it, I immediately sent a text to my daughter - Mark Hamill looks like he ate the Millenium Falcon.

I was sorry about Strauss. I was just starting to like her.

We have a chat show over here, a funny Irish fella called Graham Norton. Friday gone he had Will Smith on with his son and they did a bit of a sing song. Very entertaining ,even though i am not a great fan of him normally. They rapped the Fresh Prince Of Bel Air theme tune, amongst others. Funny

His ungrateful brat of a son has decided he wants to be "emancipated" from his parents for his upcoming 15th birthday. Yes, I, too, would want freedom from being handed a movie and musical career and growing up in a lavish lifestyle.

My daughter had just asked me if that was true but I hadn't heard anything. I just saw Smith & his son in an interview and nothing was mentioned. I don't get why he'd want to be emancipated??? Who then would be in charge of him, since he's a minor? Don't get how that works. It DOES reek of a brat though no?

As far as Graham Norton, I believe his show is on the Cable UK channel though I don't think I've ever seen it.




TIS

To be fair don't be shocked if the Scientology shit is why he wants out. Will Smith isn't a Scientologist, but he's promoted their public/private school initiatives (i.e. smuggle Dianetics and their other garbage but under different, innocent-sounding names.) Maybe the kid just doesn't want to deal with that bullshit anymore?

Anyway, AFTER EARTH doesn't look good. You all realize M. Night Shyamalan directed that film? Amazing how once upon a time he was a brand-name filmmaker but after his last few flops, they've made sure to not mention him at all in the marketing.

This upcoming weekend I don't know if it can even open #1, because you have very tough competition and the new FAST & FURIOUS picture (which was terrific entertainment) will hold strong in its 2nd wk.

Feeling bored, I ran across some surprising web info. Paris Hilton, Jennifer Aniston, Elisabeth Haselback, Tim McCgraw, Britney Spears, and Lindsey Lohan all are part Italian. Not that we want to claim all of them, but who'da thunk it?

Here's the interview if you want to watch it TIS - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0hXy8qWa4w

Thanks Camarel. I DO recognize Norton now, though I have never seen his show, I'm sure I get it here.

Both Will & Jaden "seem" to get along ok no? Nice Fresh Prince reunion too. And, something about Bradley Cooper....he's kind of cute.

Oh, and great to see one of my favorites, Michael Douglas looking well again after his cancer battle.

TIS

I wouldn't have guessed it, except for Jennifer Aniston who I knew was part Italian. If I'm not mistaken, and only as an FYI, I believe I read that Aniston's Godfather was Telly Savalas.



TIS

TIS, add to that list Steven Tyler.

Oh yea, Steven Tyler. Found out only recently he was half Italian.
Also half Italian rockers, Jon Bon Jovi (name gives it away more than his looks I think) AND Bruce Springsteen, who's mother was Italian. Hey, what can I say. Italians rock!!!!! LOL

I love Giovanni Ribisi's name. Sounds so totally Italian. Come to find out he's also German, and English. His paternal grandfather was Italian.



TIS

TIS, talking about Italian singers, there is a Scottish chap called Paolo Nutini who is obviously of Italian origin, he has loads of success over here. He does quirky pop songs...not really my cup of tea but certainly not the worst!!